“Do you want to get well?” was the question posed to Joe by a stranger. Joe spent 38 years of his life not being able to walk. Yes, he regularly went to services where healers made great claims. However, Joe never was wheeled on stage where he could get full treatment from a healer. He finally resigned himself to living with his handicap. He found that making ends meet wasn’t that difficult with his disability checks and contributions from his church and friends.
ARROGANT QUESTION FROM A STRANGER
Why in the world did that a stranger approach him and ask, “Do you want to get well?” Seems like an arrogant question to ask someone who has spent thirty-eight years in a wheelchair.
THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF BEGGING
Was Jesus also arrogant when he asked the disabled man (we will call this man “Joe #2”) “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) Maybe some historical context will help. In Jewish society, it is considered a blessing to give money to the poor. Social construct is you do a good work, and God gives back to you. Begging in Jesus’ day was an honorable profession. Joe #2’s job was begging. Yes, he had to make an appearance at the Pool of Salome every day to collect his due, but that was not a huge hardship. After thirty-eight years Joe #2 had regular donors and friends in his social circle at the Pool.
DO YOU WANT YOUR LIFE UPENDED?
When Jesus asked Joe #2 “Do you want to get well”, He was asking “Do you want your entire life upended?” Restored mobility entailed finding regular employment, not being eligible for handouts, and contributing to society. Hard stuff when you live otherwise for thirty-eight years. Did Joe #2 really want to get well? Everything in his world would change.
SPIRITUAL HISTORY
The only other facts we know about Joe #2 are spiritual history. Jesus says (and this also may sound abrupt), “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Sounds like Joe #2 possessed spiritual disabilities also in need of healing. Did Joe #2 internally change? As he picked up his mat and danced home Did the message take root? Did he choose to become a Jesus follower?
INNER TERMINAL ILLNESS OF SIN
Some people carry disabilities outside where all can see. However, all of us carry our sin sickness inside, hidden away from praying eyes. Jesus wants to open the windows and expose us. He desires to let the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit wash over our lives.
But do we want to get well? Joe #2 broke the Jewish rules, picked up his mat and danced around on the Sabbath. At that point he didn’t even know Who Jesus was, but he knew he wanted a life transformed.
Do you want to be transformed? Are you willing to confess and let go of the sin sicknesses which hold us hostage: anger, jealousy, gossip, fear, addiction, etc.? “Transformation” means “change or renewal from a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases God” (Romans 12:2)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (II Corinthians 5:17)
Again, I ask, “Do you want to get well?”
Listen to Fannie’s story of a transformed life